A Pot of Boiling Memories

Born at the height of the Great Depression on October 20, 1937, Jewel Wink was the youngest child in a large family. She claims to be her elderly father's last viable sperm. Adored by her five older siblings, she grew up during World War II with all of its challenges and victories. She met her husband at Bowling Green State University and after several moves, they settled in Canandaigua, New York, where they raised their four children and became beloved members of the community. As a young wife and mother, she confronted injustice through action, raising money for Native American causes and initiating the first course in Black Studies. Following a surgery to correct scoliosis and a year of recovery, she finished her education and began teaching. She was inspired by a fellow teacher to get a master's degree in learning disorders from the University of Rochester. She used this knowledge to rescue countless students by diagnosing their specific issues and designing educational programs to meet their needs and bring out their best. Her colleagues nominated her to the Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. She recognizes that she and her accomplishments stood on the shoulders of those who came before her, her ordinary family members, friends, and colleagues who accomplished extraordinary things. Her memory shows how these people shaped her life. She hopes that her stories will inspire and move you to action, and that you will be enriched by the recounting of their experiences.